Tottenham Hotspur PLC Essay Example for Free

Tottenham Hotspur PLC Essay Introduction The given case study is mainly concerned with the management decisions that are considered by the chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Mr. Daniel Levy, in order to generate a steeper rise in revenues for the club. The major investments in question are the construction of a new stadium that is almost twice the present capacity, an improved practice facility and further improvement of the team through desired player acquisitions. But, Tottenham being a publicly owned club need to justify the time and resources that would be at stake in order to undertake this project. The four major sources of revenue for the team include the number of fans attending the match, the sponsorship rights it receives from other companies, the sale of club merchandise and its broadcast rights sold to television channels. By building a new stadium, which has an estimated cost of 250 million spread over the next two years, Tottenham hopes to increase the current capacity of 36500 people to 60000 fans per match. This is estimated to increase the revenues through attendance by 40 percent and considerable merchandise sale as well. The club also plans on investing in better practise facility and better players, thus increasing the odds of winning matches. This would not only increase the revenues from the matches but also increase the sponsorship amounts by 20 percent at the same time hiking the demandable price for broadcast rights. The collective rise in revenue is estimated to be around 9 percent. Body Decision Criteria 1. Joseph Lewis is a majority stake holder in the firm; the only one with greater that 3 percent stakeholding. He can be expected to work solely in favour of appreciation of his share value. His company ENIC has 82 percent  overall beneficial interest in the club. One needs to determine whether this would negatively affect the decisions made by him. 2. Daniel Levy and Joseph Lewis were former partners at ENIC from 2001 to 2007 and once ENIC had a large majority in Tottenham Hotspur, in early 2008 Daniel Levy decides to make this radical change in the club. He further went on to claim that it is not just about the money but a long term prosperity of the club. We must however, consider the fact  that he had to his advantage a prior experience managing a Scottish Football Club called Rangers 3. The magnitude of risk posed by the assumptions made by Levy must also be considered to judge whether the investment is profitable. 4. A quantitative analysis of the investment including the computation of various factors such as the Cost of Capital, NPV, IRR, DCF analysis, etc can point towards the right direction 5. By calculating the percentage of games won over a period of 2004 to 2007 and comparing it to the market reaction towards the shares of Tottenham Hotspur we can make decision about what factors negatively affected the market; whether it was an external matter or something related to Tottenham hotspur itself. Assumptions 1. The predictions made about the future growth of revenue with respect to the predicted inflation of the country. 2. Operating expenses are based on historical data of other clubs. So, we need to analyse reasons why that might not project the right image of the future for Tottenham 3. Changing the players may not automatically improve performance of the team and hence may not lead to as many wins as expected and hence the growth in revenues through sponsorships and merchandise may be stunted.

Variable compression ratio

Variable compression ratio CHAPTER 1 BACKGROUND THEORY OF ENGINES 1.1 VARIABLE COMPRESSION RATIO (VCR) ENGINE 1.1.1 INTRODUCTION TO VARIABLE COMPRESSION RATIO ENGINE Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) is a system which is used to adjust the compression ratios of the internal combustion engine. In simple terms, it changes the combustion chamber size of the cylinder according to various different operating conditions such as speed, load, acceleration and torque. Car emissions and fuel economy are two challenges for the automotive sector in which VCR engine is a very decent technology approaching low fuel consumption and pollutant emission reduction. The car manufacturers have to look forward for more thermally efficient and less polluting engine. In present world the automotive sector spends over millions of dollars for approaching low emission as well as low fuel consumption cars. Various different ways are been discovered such as hybrid cars, fuel cell cars, solar cars and many more as future development. VCR engine would practically prove to be boon for automotive sector (Evolution Perspectives). The Fixed Compression Ratio (FCR) engine has a fixed compression ratio without any kind of change in the size of the combustion chamber in cylinder. The FCR engines have high emissions due to the fact that when it comes to high speed or load, FCR use more fuel which produces more emissions but VCR engine provides increase in the fuel efficiency under varying loads and speed. Most of the cars used recently are Spark plug (SI) or diesel Ignition engines. The different ways the SI engine can increase its efficiency is by higher compression ratio, reducing throttle losses, low friction, variable timing valve and down-sizing. The concept of VCR engine significantly contributes its benefits to thermo-dynamic efficiency. The concept of the VCR is that it continuously operates at different compression ratio as per the need of the performance. The change in the combustion chamber volume continuously takes place with the varying in the compression ratio. Therefore the thermodynamic advantages are been encountered through the engine map. At low level of power, VCR engine drives at higher compression ratio which can capture high fuel efficiency and at the high power levels the VCR engine runs at low compression ratio to prevent knocking. Unlikely as FCR engine, the VCR engine keeps the engine temperature more or less at the optimum with high combustion efficiency. It tends to keep high power at the same engine dimensions (Amjad Shaik, 2007). 1.1.2 ADVANTAGES OF VCR ENGINE Today the â€Å"environmental safety† is a very big issue which is been concerned by many industries throughout the world. When it comes to the automobile sector, due to high ethical measures they have high amount of responsibility towards environment. All car manufacturing industry are targeting eco-friendly vehicles and down-sizing engine which can lead to the better living environment. In this case VCR engine has many improvements and benefits over FCR engine. All that is possible by the VCR is not been possible by FCR engine in terms of power output as well as overall efficiency. Some remarkable evaluation perspectives of VCR engine: Compression ratio adjustment does not allow â€Å"knocking†, and allows extreme torque and specific power with great driving conditions. At part loads the VCR engine functions under high compression ratio (up to 16:1 or 17:1) which provides better fuel efficiency compared to FCR engine. By retaining in best combination between Ignition advance and compression ratio, VCR engine reduces emission pollutant even under extreme supercharging pressure. VCR engine tends to keep the thermodynamic temperature of the engine low compared to FCR by working under preferable compression ratio range and avoid engine heating. It permits increasing load-speed range which can result to effectiveness in lean-mixtures. The temperature and pressure controls which can permit combustions under ultra-lean mixtures and to set the auto-ignition timing precisely. The overall efficiency of the vehicle increases with pleasant driving conditions. 1.1.3 EXISTING VCR ENGINE CARS Today, in automobile sector there are various different companies who are spending billions of dollars on the green car. The aim to keep the environment clean need the cars to lower down their emission and the car manufacturers are spending major of their finance on the research and development. The company are developing no. of different ways that can help them to minimise the car emissions and hence make an eco-friendly car. Honda Company Ltd; has shown some documents to the World Congress unfolding their development in the recent times when it comes to variable compression ratio engine. They are developing a compact VCR model which will use inertia force of the piston to switch the compression ratio between high and low stages (Concept: Honda RD Developing Variable Compression Ratio Engine with Dual Piston Mechanism, 2009). Secondly SAAB has approached to make a very innovative and efficient VCR engine. At Geneva Motor Show, SAAB had reviled its VCR model which is called as the SVC (Saab Variable Compression) engine. The new innovative concept was more fuel efficient and the concept was totally new. The performance of the engine was far better than before with combination of reduced engine displacement and unique system of variable compression ratio enabling the engine to be more powerful and efficient than before. The fuel consumption of the car is reduced by 30% while the carbon emissions reduced as well. The CO, NOx and HC emission will meet all the future regulations (Saab Variable, 2008). The SVC engine system would not allow any kind of external or internal friction to the engine under operation which can tend to increase losses. The engine combustion chamber would not be detoriate by any kind of system interference (Miller, 2001). Nissan has been developing a kind of piston-crank mechanism by the help of which the system to enable the variable compression ratio of the engine, unlike the static compression ratio which was taking place as the other cars. The system optimises the engine rpm with the compression ratio and can easily vary with the car driving speed which results in optimum combustion all time and raising output and fuel economy (Nissan). This all information really conveys that the automotive sector is keenly looking forward for various ways and innovative mechanism which can prove to be boon for the future car market as well as eco-friendly environment. 1.2 FIXED COMPRESSION RATIO (FCR) ENGINE 1.2.1 INTRODUCTION TO FIXED COMPRESSION RATIO ENGINE A fixed compression ratio engine is a normal engine which recent cars have. The compression ratio of the combustion chamber remains the same throughout the operation. Particularly they do not have any disadvantages but when we compare it with the VCR engine than they have high fuel consumption as well as emissions. An engine is the main component of the car on which the major amount of car efficiency is depended. The major number of cars on the road is fuel cars, gasoline or diesel cars. The function of car engine is to convert the fuel (gasoline) into motion by which the car moves. The car is running through fuel combustion, so the engines are known as Internal Combustion Engines. It is known as Internal Combustion Engine because it consists of a combustion chamber in which the combustion of fuel occur using oxidiser, usually air. (Brain, 2010). 1.2.2 FOUR-STROKE INTERNAL COMBUSTION (I.C) ENGINE The four stroke engine consists of four different strokes- Intake stroke Compression stroke Combustion stroke Exhaust stroke The Piston moves downwards form the top dead centre (TDC) to the bottom dead centre (BDC) reducing the pressure inside the cylinder. Suction phenomenon takes place where the mixture of fuel and air is forced to get in to the cylinder through the intake port for future combustion process. The intake valve is open in intake stroke where the exhaust valve is closed. As soon as intake stroke completes the intake valve closes down. 2. COMPRESSION STROKE Compression stroke is the second stroke of the combustion process. In combustion process the inlet and the exhaust both the valves remain close. The piston is moves upwards to the top dead centre of the cylinder to compress the air-fuel mixture. This makes an explosion in the cylinder and helps the combustion to take place. This complete stroke is known as the compression stroke. 3. EXPANSION STROKE Expansion stroke is also known as the power stroke. In this stroke both intake and exhaust valve remain close. When the piston is at the top dead centre, the ignition takes place in the combustion chamber usually with the help of spark plug. The air-fuel mixture ignites and results in to massive pressure and this pressure drives the piston back to the bottom dead centre with a huge force. This complete stroke is called the power stroke because at this stroke of the whole cycle the power erupts and engines torque is able to drive the car. Power stroke is the most important stroke of the complete cycle in which the ignition takes place leading to power to the engine. 4. EXHAUST STROKE Exhaust Stroke is the final stroke of the cycle. In this stroke the inlet valve remains closed and the exhaust valve opens. The piston which is at the bottom dead centre once again goes to the top dead centre position while the valve is open. The action helps to though out the product of the combustion from the cylinder outside through help of the exhaust pipe. With the completion of the exhaust valve the completion of the combustion cycle takes place. (Brain, 2010) 1.3 COMPRESSION RATIO The Compression Ratio of an internal combustion engine is the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber when the piston is at the bottom dead centre position divided by the volume of the combustion chamber when piston is at the full compression position. In simple terms it is also known as the swept volume (Compression ratio, 2010). The compression ratio of an engine should be higher. Higher the compression ratio, the engine is able to extract more energy form the given mass of the air-fuel mixture because of the higher amount of thermal efficiency. The increase in the power takes place at the moment of ignition and more net work can be achieved by expanding the hot gases at a greater degree. There is major disadvantage while keeping the compression ratio higher is that make the gasoline engine subjected to engine knocking. In technical terms it is also known as detonation. It is mainly caused by using poor quality fuel. Detonation can cause the engine to reduce its overall efficiency, damage the engine parts and even can result to engine failure. CR = compression ratio Vd = displacement volume Vcv = clearance volume CR = Displacement Volume+Clearance VolumeClearance Volume Compression Ratio = Vd+ VcvVcv CHAPTER 2 DESCRIPTION OF VCR PROTOTYPE MODEL 2.1 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING VCR PROTOTYPE The variable compression ratio prototype is already been made by the previous student working. The driving mechanism is well made and is practically operational. The mechanism is very simple. The driving mechanism of the prototype is just an understanding of the overall system and helps to analyse different moving parts. The modifications been done are on the way the system has to be driven. The mechanism was been driven manually or by using an electric motor. The system has to be modified and designed to be driven pneumatically. The complete prototype helps to demonstrate the complete system visually. The theoretical part of the VCR is a bit more complicated, so the visual model really focuses and gives a very clear idea about the whole mechanism as well individual parts. The mechanism shows the rotating shaft motion conversion to the linear motion of the piston-cylinder mechanism driven manually, electrically or pneumatic sources. The variable compression mechanism is been attached to the system by which the angles of connecting rod lever can be changed which helps to change the travel length of the piston in the cylinder. The change in piston travel length tends to change the swept volume which is technically known as the compression ratio. The mechanism is designed is a way that the compression ratio can be changed easily any time even when the system is running. The angle of eccentric adjustment is given a range from 0 ° to 60 ° where it can change compression ratio to certain extends. 2.2 WORKING PRINCIPLE OF VCR PROTOTYPE The working of the prototype is very simple. The working principle is that the angular motion of the shaft is been converted in to the linear motion of the piston-cylinder. A simple mechanism of the variable compression ratio is adjoined to the overall system. The variable compression ratio mechanism in the system allows the driving mechanism to change various angles by help of which the length of the stroke of piston changes which can change the overall swept volume. Hence the change in swept volume results in the variation in compression ratio. NOTE: The figure shows the working principle of the prototype by giving more knowledge about the moving parts and their connection. Detailed drawing is been given further in the report. The driving mechanism consists of various different moving parts as described in the part list. The extension shaft rotates at an angle of 360 ° which results to one to and fro motion of the piston. Once the extension shaft rotates, the motion is been transferred to the Crank shaft. The crank shaft transfers the motion to the eccentric journal bearing through the help of connecting rod and lever. At that position the angle of the eccentric mechanism decided the length of stroke of piston. This motion hence results into linear motion of the piston-cylinder mechanism by help of sliding mechanism connection. The piston than moves and completes a two stroke cycle by one revolution of shaft. 2.3 MOTION TRANSFER STUDY A simple overview of the motion transfer from one part of mechanism to the other is been shown. DRIVING SOURCE ROTATING SHAFT CONNECTING ROD MOTION ECCENTRIC JOURNAL BEARING MOTION SLIDING MECHANISM CONNECTION LINEAR MOTION OF PISTON-CYLINDER 2.4 PART LIST OF PROTOTYPE MODEL PART LIST OF VCR DRIVING MECHANISM Part No. Part Name Quantity 1 Cylinder Head 1 2 Cylinder Block 1 3 Piston 1 4 Roller Bearing 3 5 Sliding Mechanism Connection 1 6 Eccentric Journal Bearing 2 7 Connection Rod Lever 1 8 Connection Rod 1 9 Crank Shaft 1 10 Crank Shaft Mounting 1 11 Extension Shaft 1 12 Nut Bolt 12 NOTE: The above part list is made on the basis of the system without any sort of driving mechanism modifications. The source of driving is manually which helps us to analyse the movement of prototype parts and is simple understanding of the mechanism. 2.5 COMPONENT MATERIAL SELECTION The variable compression ratio prototype is overall well designed. The completely prototype is a compact model and has an appropriate function. The mechanism of VCR is well managed when it comes to design part. The design is kept simple and easy to understand. The assembly of all components is done in a way that it is easy to disassemble and individual moving parts can be analysed. It is clear that the system is a complete assembly of many working parts. There are lots of parts which are been assembled using welding, or by using nuts and bolts. Some of the parts are been manufactured in the laboratory and some are been obtained from the suppliers due to time and material constraints. The parts which are been obtained directly from the dealer: Connecting Rod Roller Bearings Crank Shaft Connecting Rod Lever Eccentric Bearing Nuts and Bolts The parts which are been manufactured in the laboratory: Piston Cylinder Block Prototype foundation (wooden base) Extension Shaft (Attached to electric motor) Supporting bars for assembly COMPONENT AND THEIR MATERIAL Part No. Part Name Material 1 Cylinder Head Plastic 2 Cylinder Block Plastic 3 Piston Plastic 4 Roller Bearing Plastic 5 Sliding Mechanism Connection Steel 6 Eccentric Journal Bearing Steel 7 Connection Rod Lever Forged Steel 8 Connection Rod Forged Steel 9 Crank Shaft Forged Steel 10 Crank Shaft Mounting Aluminium 11 Extension Shaft Cast Iron 12 Nut Bolt Mild Steel Material Selection Criteria As we can see the material been used in the prototype are metals and have high resistivity to high temperature and external or internal stresses. They do not have a tendency to deform under small loading conditions which really helps to keep the alignment and working of the prototype without any problems. The components are directly available in the market and it save a lot of time as well as money which can be spending innovating miscellaneous ideas. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VCR PROTOTYPE Every product or its prototype has some positive as well as negative aspects. The positive features are those which favour the users and the negative aspects are those which create some kind of errors or functional faults. POSITIVE CHARACTERISTICS DESIGN The complete system is designed in a way that it is really appreciated. The design is compact, easy to analyse and low weight. Even though the material used in most of the parts is metals but even though the overall prototype does not exceed a lot. Looking at the individual design in detail: The existing VCR prototype consist INTRODUCTION TO PNEMATIC SYSTEM Pneumatic is a branch of technology which enables the pressurised gas to affect mechanical motion. Pneumatic system is the system which helps to pressurise gas and convert the pressure of gas in to mechanical motion. There are many industry which use pneumatic systems for various purposes. The compressor is used to compress air and this force of air is used for the various purposes such as dentistry, construction, automobile, mining and many more. Pneumatic system is basically a fixed system which is installed in factories that have application of compressed air for various purposes. Usually the moisture is been removed from the air and small quantity of oil is been added in it as lubrication to the moving parts. The basic pneumatic system is most efficient when the theoretical calculation prove basic three things: Amount of force applied by the actuator Can that force be able to move the desired load The speed at which the load can be moved Components of Basic Pneumatic System Part A Compressor: The compressor is the main component of all. It is a pump which compresses air. It simply raises the pressure of compressed air and supplies it to the pneumatic system. Part B Check valve: Check valve is simple one way valve. This valve allows the compressed air which is having high pressure to enter the pneumatic system. It does not allow the back flow of air again in to the compressor. Part C Accumulator: Accumulator is known as the storage tank of the system. It stores the compressed air and hence helps to supply it to system as per the requirement and relieves the duty cycle of compressor. Part D Directional Valve: The directional valve gives the direction to the compressed air and controls the flow of air from source to port selected. This can be done manually or might be used sensors or electrically to give better precision. Part E Actuator: Actuator is the device which concerts the force (energy) of compressed air into the mechanical motion. (Elements of Basic Pneumatic system, 2003) Working of Pneumatic system Atmospheric air is been drawn in to the air filter in which the air is been filter. The foreign material, duct particles are been removed and pure air is achieved. The air then passes to the compressor where it gets compressed to a certain required pressure. The vapour and humidity is been removed making air dry and pressurised. Then the air is passed to the reservoir where the pressured air is been stored and can be readily available when required. It is known as accumulator. Many companies tend to compress air in a huge compressor and then store it in different storage reservoirs at different places without any kind of pressure (energy) loss. The pressure development is been depended on the size and capacity of the compressor. There are many safety devices used in the system like valves and sensors which readily help to ensure complete safety of the system. After it is stored in the reservoir it is been used whenever and wherever required using control valve which can help to control the flow of pressurised air and help to use the energy to convert to mechanical motion.

Digital Encoding Technique Of Scrambling Computer Science Essay

Digital Encoding Technique Of Scrambling Computer Science Essay Scrambling is a digital encoding technique that is used in modern data communication schemes and can principally provide aid in retrieving information from received data enhancing synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver. In digital systems it is common to encounter long sequences of 1s and 0s making it difficult for the receiver to retrieve timing information [01]. As a result, the input device randomizes data but the receiver fails to obtain them in their consistent countenance. Adaptive equalization, clock recovery and variations of received data are difficulties that can be eliminated if the bit sequence is randomized and that is a procedure that a scrambling device can guarantee. Scrambling techniques can be divided into two classes; additive scrambling and multiplicative scrambling. In the first case scramblers tend to use modulo-2 addition in order to transform the input data stream and attain synchronization of both ends by using a sync-word. A specific pattern is placed at the beginning of each frame thats being sent and can be decrypted only by the receiver [googlebook]. On the other hand, multiplicative scramblers are named that way because they implement a multiplication between the input signal and the scrambler transfer function. This class of scrambling is also referred as self-synchronizing scrambling because they dont need a sync-word for synchronization [googlebook]. Scramblers are used in a variation of applications. In security systems for example, they can encrypt data and send them into a channel sequence with safety. That way they cant be intercepted on the way to the receiver and can be decrypted by the descrambler installed at the terminal. The main purpose of scrambling devices in data communication systems is to make sure that information from data that has been received from a terminal include timing material that aid the synchronization of both ends such as two modems [01]. 2. Understanding scrambling Accuracy in data communications is highly considerable as otherwise could lead to data loss. For example, a huge network malfunction could take place considering modems scramblers in the infrastructure of a countrys stock market were data must be represented live. This failure could be catastrophic considering the fact that data is being transmitted and received from all over the world. Thus, an errorless communication system is essential with quite accurate timing devices appended to it. This could be easily feasible if communication networks were simply constructed but at present numerous devices are being attached and large data sets are being processed in complex communication grids making it difficult to achieve or even approach the objective of punctual contact. 2.1 Additive (Synchronous) scrambler Data scrambling basically uses fixed binary sequences that mostly resemble a random signal. Feedback generates and provides shift registers with these sequences that afterwards are being exploited by modulo 2 adders. Shift register consists of flip-flops which are placed in a specific order in which they receive the bits and gradually forward them to the next flip-flop in a cascade formation [DTS]. Feedback connections in some stages include taps in which the tapped signals are added modulo 2 and fed back to the first flip-flop. In figure 1 flip-flops 2 and 5 are mod-2 added, flip-flops 1 and 2 are shift to 2 and 3 until they gradually land at flip-flop 4 and 5 and mod-2 output reverts back to flip-flop 1. The result of this shift register will go through thirty-one different states and then it will repeat this process of incoming bits from scratch. This outcome sequence might look fortuitous at first sight but taking under consideration the shift register, length and taps one can pe rceive the exact bits of the fed sequence [DTS]. Following, a simple example of the scramblers operation is comprehensively explained. Paradigm copes with an additive scrambler were an input bit sequence is exploited to fit the modulo 2 logic addition of a pseudorandom sequence. As shown in figure 1 a sequence is granted from a pseudo-random sequence generator and is composed of a 5-bit non zero seed. This sequence of bits (s1) is brought to the scrambler which are summed modulo 2 of locations 2 and 5 in the shift register.. Before the data transmission begins, bits are shifted up one stage as follows: 5 shifts to channel, 4 shifts to 5, 3 shifts to 4, 2 shifts to 3 and 1 shifts to 2. After this procedure takes place, sequences next bit is imported and this process is repeated. When data transmition (s2) arrives the descrambler, bits are summed in to modulo 2 sums at the stages of 2 and 5, just like the values given in the in the primary phase of scrambling. The first bit of the incoming sequence results from this sum and the contents at the registry are shifted up one stage as follows: 5 shifts to receiver, 4 shifts to 5, 3 shifts to 4, 2 shifts to 3 and 1 shifts to 2. This procedure is then repeated. Looking up to the beginning of the paradigm, it should be mentioned that scramblers structure is identical to the one that descrambles the data of the outgoing frame. Therefore, any optimization of the scramblers circuit must be implemented on both ways in order to carry out an accurate scrambling and descrambling action [02]. Suppose that the channel hasnt enticed any bit errors a successful scramble and descramble is being performed regarding that s1 = s2. Going even deeper with the scramblers action, a moreover examination of the example above should take place considering the circuits application. The basic characteristic of scrambling is the use of Galois Theory on polynomials which finds implementation in the afore mentioned example in the following equation: s2 = 1 + D2s2 + D5s2 (1) Where D is a unit delay operator representing the delaying sequence by one bit. Thus, D2s2 and D5s2 refer to the equivalent bits of the scrambled sequenced that is transmitted into the channel as represented in figure 1 and the binary X-OR operator taking place between them. Taking all terms of s2 in one side of the equality the following equation is obtained: [1 + D2 + D5] s2 = s1 (2) or, regarding the transfer process: s2 = [ 1 / (1 + D2 + D5 )] s1 (3) As for the descramblers equation approach, it is reflected as follows: s3 = [1 + D2 + D5] s2 (4) All the above circuits in depth approximation can be generally represented form the following equations: s2 = F(D)s1 (5) and s3 = G(D)s2 (6) which, in the scrambling and descrambling pair procedure are used as: F(D)G(D) = 1 (7) Thus, any receiving or transmitting connected shift registers that indulges Equation 7 are proper for use as a scrambler and descrambler pair. Furthermore, it is now clear that data can be scrambled for many reasons but in order for a terminal to receive these data and modify them into a distinctive countenance a descrambling device is necessary. Descrambling is the inverse of scrambling and its purpose is to restore the signals data state as they were originally supplied to the coupled scrambler [descrambler]. Descrambling is accomplished through using the exact algorithms that were implemented at the initial scrambled signal. Any other use of algorithms at the descrambler doesnt cohere to the complete scrambling and descrambling procedure. 2.2 Multicapitave (Self-synchronizing) scrambler Self-synchronizing scrambling operation acts in two modes. First mode is called start-up and copes with data which are placed to a coupled scrambler and descrambler. This specific seed of information is similarly stored on both ends. After a predestined time interstice, the first mode is terminated and the second one initiates a procedure were information that is stored on both end devices is used to form key signals [03]. This technique deals successfully with randomizing bits by using a logic addition of delayed digits from the source sequence. While in this steady-state mode, errors cannot affect the data as they are already loaded in the devices before the descrambling initiates. Figure 2 represents an indiscriminate scrambler and descrambler that contains M stages and output is given by the following equation: in which + (X-OR) and ÃŽÂ £ denote modulo addition. Shift register of the descrambler receives the M error-free scrambled bits and initiates decoding after affirming that they are identical to the ones transmitted by the receiver [DTS]. Descramblers decoding equation is familiar to the one of scramblers and favors the following: Figure 2 Block diagram of Self-Synchronizing Scrambler and Descrambler [DTS]. Guided scrambling In data communication systems where scrambling contains bit stream transmissions, an improved method of self-synchronizing technique can be applied. Guided scrambling is accepted to be an extension of multicapitave scrambling and its basic principle is based on a refined encoding technique which provides an enhanced transmission [06]. Analytically, this method exploits the drawback of a single source bit affecting many other quotient bits. For example [06], if 01001010001001010100101 is the source sequence, the scrambled should be: 01000000001000000100000 which is an unbalanced sequence presenting only a few alterations. The most significant bit of this sequence is 0 but if an altered quotient required this bit to be 1 the new sequence would be: 11010110010111000010111 This sequence, with the alteration of only one bit, carried in the modulo-2 scission process, plainly depicts better transmission attributes. Guided scrambling is widely implemented in fiber optics communications and assures balanced, efficient transmission with high transition density. 3. Data scrambling in the employment of security Since the amount of digitalized content increases rapidly, data protection becomes a great issue to deal with, as important as encoding techniques implemented to achieve desirable security [MIS]. Scrambling is greatly well-known and effective security technique as its applied on most communication forms [AMIP]. Encryption is the formal name of the scrambling process which applies the function that alters the scope of data in order to be protected before transmitted [SC]. Modern encryption involves algorithms that are based on complex mathematical functions making difficult or in some cases impossible to reverse the scrambled data. Confidentiality is clearly the need that encryption is called to fulfill. However, integrity is also a great issue that data encryption successfully faces. For a long time it has been believed that the feature where one can copy and distribute content freely is advantageous but apart from reading data one can easily change them in a meaningful manner [AMIP]. Furthermore, data scrambling and encryption are fundamental components of protocols that enable the provision of security while executing a system, network or communication task [SC]. 4. Implementation of scramblers in 56kbps V.92 modems V.92 modems are almost extinguished since broadband internet has been solidly established all over the world, but its quite interesting to investigate the implementation of the scrambling and descrambling technique on this device because this is where it was elevated. Wherever GSTN and PSTN are the only communication networks infrastructure, this type of modem is the state of the art. Data rates of a V.92 modem are 56kbps for downstream when in use from server to client connection and 48kbps for upstream when in use from client to server. Term modem emanates from the words modulation and demodulation which basically refer to the main process executed by this specific device: turning to account of the analog signal carried by telecommunication network for data transmission and elaboration. Scrambler in this case guarantees sufficient transitions in the transmitted data for clock extraction and avoids a continuous stream of ones and zeros using an algorithm to alter the data sequence [DCCN]. In order for a modem to perform a one to one mapping between bits and encoding procedure of another modem device it must also be equipped with a descrambler. Data communications very often transmit idle characters, particularly when paired modems make no use of the transmission medium for a relatively long period [DCCN]. Initiating a data transmission again could evoke a data blast with repeating errors presented at the beginning of data. This error occurs because clock phases pattern is quite sensitive but can be overcome from scramblers ability to randomize data before their transmission [DCCN]. Figure 3 Scrambler block diagram [MATLAB] A scramblers block diagram is characteristically represented in Figure 3. As mentioned before, all adders perform a modulo-2 addition and switches in the schematic are defined by the implementing polynomial. In the case of a 56kbps modem the polynomial in use is: y(x) = 1 + x-18 + x-23 which reflects a self-synchronizing scrambling procedure yet bearing a feature of creating the handshake between the terminals. If transmission in the communication network is errorless then the descrambler will be able to translate the signal using the same polynomial contrarily. 5. Application of Matlab to simulate a 56kbps modems scrambler Matlabs Simulink toolbox can fulfill the potential of simulating a scrambler with all the adjustments required. Figure 4 enacts a full scrambling procedure from the signal generation to the scrambling feature and after that to the scope function. Figure 4 Scrambler simulation on Simulink Going deeper in this scheme analysis, a signal generator is situated at the beginning of the diagram. Bernoulis Binary Generator is using a distribution to produce a sequence of random 0s and 1s. In addition to that, a probability of P is applied to produce 0s and 1-P for 1s. The scrambler feature is using a scheme like the one represented in Figure 3 for its fundamental use and utilizes all polynomials capabilities. For example if the polynomial is y(x) = 1 + x-6 + x-8 then the data to be imported are: p = [1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1] and p = [0 -6 -8] [MATLAB]. Last, but not least, the scope widget where conclusive measurements can be extracted from all the previous signal processing. The most common test to be implemented in this simulating scheme would consider time and the input value of P. Particularly, P configures the quantity of 0s and 1s that will shape the outgoing stream of the binary generator. Speed of the user on the other hand in comparison with the real speed of the 56kbps modem is quite low, resulting a long stream of idle status or 0s. In the subsequent examination P will be given the value of 0.9 in order to have maximum possibilities for this stream to appear. Using the spectrum analyzer from Matlabs Simulink the following results of Figure 5 appeared.

A Woman Behind the Wallpaper :: essays research papers

A Woman Behind The Wallpaper.† Analyzing a literary work, I have always considered setting of the story to be primarily for a reader to picture the events more vividly. However, recently I have discovered that setting often plays an important role in the development of the plot and characters of the story. Besides time and place of a literary work, setting can include social, psychological or spiritual state of the characters. Therefore setting of the story is capable of not only creating a certain atmosphere, but also help characters change, come to a realization of something, or behave a certain way. The setting of the short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† has a direct influence on the development of the plot and the main character of the story.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† introduces a reader to a young lady, suffering from a major depression. She is prescribed a â€Å"rest cure†, so her husband, a physician himself, rents a house â€Å"a colonial mansion, a hereditary estate† for them to stay in during the summer. In the very first paragraph the author uses an element of gothic fiction, as the narrator declares that she feels â€Å"something strange about the house.† She describes the house as gorgeous place, except for a spacious, full of light room on its upper floor. The room her husband insisted them to stay at. The narrator assumes it has been as nursery before as â€Å"the windows are barred for little children, and there are rings and things in the walls.† Its yellow, partially stripped off, wallpaper is the true object of the narrator’s frustration, disgust, and hatred. She describes its color as â€Å"repellent, almost revolting: a smouldering unclear y ellow, strangely faded by the slow-turning sunlight. It is a dull yet lurid orange in some places, a sickly sulphur tint in others† She also claims that the wallpaper has a particular smell that follows her everywhere. It â€Å"is like the color of the paper! A yellow smell.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another aspect of setting introduced in the story is the emotional state of the narrator. There are numerous clues given in the story that reveal that she is in the state of disharmony with herself and the role of a housewife she is forced to play by her husband and the society of that time. She is unhappy with her marriage and her position in the family.

Catalytic Converters :: essays research papers fc

Introduction Catalytic converters are an integral part of converting much of the pollution that comes out of a car’s exhaust. Almost every car since the year 1970 has come with a catalytic converter in order to reduce harmful emissions. I chose to explain the function and chemistry behind the catalytic converter because I have an interest in cars and I wanted to know more about them. Background In order to understand how catalytic converters work, one must understand that air and fuel burn in a car’s engine best at a specific ratio. The ratio for gasoline burning vehicles is approximately 14.7 pounds of air to one pound of gasoline. When there is more than 14.7 pounds of air for each pound of gas, the mixture is running lean. When the opposite occurs, meaning less that 14.7 pounds of air for each pound of gas, the mixture is rich. The exhaust from the combustion in a cars engine is comprised of six main ingredients. Nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and water vapor are three of the main emissions. These gases do not cause damage to the atmosphere like the other gases do. Carbon Monoxide, other hydrocarbons, and Nitrogen Oxides result in a majority of the pollution caused by cars. Carbon Monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can kill you if too much is inhaled. Hydrocarbons come out of an engine’s exhaust from unburned fuel. These hydrocarbons can be broken down by the sun, creating ground level ozone, also known as smog. Nitrogen oxides can cause acid rain. Catalytic converters are designed to reduce these last three emissions. How it Works Most new cars are equipped with what is called a three-way catalytic converter. They are called this because they try to cut down on the Carbon Monoxide, hydrocarbons, and Nitrogen Oxides. There are two main parts to the catalytic converter. They both function in the same way but remove different pollutants. The structure inside the catalytic converter is a honeycomb to allow for a maximum surface area for the reactions to occur while requiring minimal amounts of the catalysts required for the reactions to take place because these catalysts are expensive. Reduction Catalyst The reduction catalyst is the first step that the exhaust goes through in the catalytic converter. The catalysts used in this part are platinum and rhodium to break now NO and NO2 molecules in to N2 and O2 gases which are non-polluting.

Essay --

The Softwood Lumber Dispute â€Å"In August 1987, after fifteen months of negotiations Canada and the U.S concluded another round of talks, and finally agreed on a free trade agreement. It was then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and President Ronald Reagan who had launched the trade initiative at their convivial 1985 and their main focus was lowering trade and tariff barriers. This was cast as a path to increased prosperity for both nations. This is also known as the Ottawa summit. However the negotiating was not easy. Substantive differences did not prove amenable to quick resolution. The Canadian Prime Minister was however in for a disappointment as he had placed a considerable amount of stakes on this deal and hated to see it finished off. The Canadian negotiators were in for a difficult deal that was how to move the bargain forward without losing their side off the deal. By September, the Canadian government was preparing a strategy for resolving the talks-one way or another. F ailing that, the Canadian cabinet would have to determine how and when to acknowledge the breakdown in the negotiations. This case is designed to encourage discussion of both the Canadian and US negotiating postures and of how each nation's assessment of the other helped to define its negotiating stance. Another case, US-Canada Free Trade Negotiations I (C16-87-785.0), involves US preparations for the negotiations, with specific focus on obtaining congressional approval for the talks† (http://www.ksgcase.harvard.edu/case.htm?PID=862) â€Å"Canadian officials had given quite a palpable response to the imposition of duty, which was around 19.3 percent, countervailing tax on imports of Canadian softwood lumber with much tub-thumping and hand wringing. Many traders a... ...an business world at odds with the free trade agreement that was drafted in 1987, with the aim of encouraging better trading through pulling back the different trade barriers that are used in international trade. The softwood lumber dispute is however straining relations between Canada and the Unites states. It has put the 1987 agreement into the background and dashed any hopes of better trading relations between the two countries. Canada is a major supplier of softwood and the united state is a major market, which it is at risk of losing. Therefore the achievement of Canadian objectives remains elusive at best. Bibliography US-Canada Free Trade Negotiations (II): The Canadian Dilemma, http://www.ksgcase.harvard.edu/case.htm?PID=862 Keith Jones, (7 September 2001) â€Å"Lumber dispute strains Canada-US relations, http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/sep2001/lumb-s07.shtml

Infancy Through Adolescence Essay

Changes in the home environment such as marital conflict, divorce and poor parenting can adversely affect family dynamics, and children especially, can develop both mental and physical health problems. Research finds a correlation between parental separation and the internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in children; this includes childhood sleep problems due to marital conflict. Children can help define and influence the dynamics of marital conflict. Studies show that in early childhood, parent-child relationships are critical to a child’s healthy development especially the mother-child relations and maternal depression can cause poor parenting leading to emotional and behavioral problems. Child maltreatment is associated with alterations in stress physiology, increased risk for emotional and behavioral issues and increased risk for mental health issues in adolescence. Positive and supportive co-parenting can buffer against the negative effects of marital conflict and divorce especially in low-income and at-risk families. Successful co-parenting relationships can positively affect a child’s socio-emotional development and mental health. Family dynamics and changes in the home will affect the development and well-being of a child throughout infancy or adolescence. Home environments which are dysfunctional in nature, experiencing marital conflict, and separation/divorce or poor-parenting can cause problems within a child’s development including mental and physical issues. Some children will internalize their problems and suffer from anxiety and depression. Others will outwardly externalize their behaviors through aggression and conduct problems; preteens are especially at risk for antisocial behavior (Taylor, Purswell, Lindo, Jayne, & Fernando, 2011; Sentse, Ormel, Veenstra, Verhulst, & Oldehinkel, 2011). In the Barry & Kochanska (2011, p. 237) study, they point out that dysfunctional parenting, parental depressive symptoms and marital conflict are associated with childhood adjustment and development. Consistently, studies show that marital problems adversely affect child development and adjustment. As Rhoades, Leve, Harold, Neiderhiser, Shaw & Reiss (2011) state â€Å"the association between marital hostility and child adjustment is clearly established† and â€Å"pathways from marital hostility to child adjustment have been well studied, research[ed] to date† (p. 282). And Teti & Cole (2011) further add that â€Å"faulty parenting is frequently cited as a major causal factor in the development of child psychopathology† (p. 25). Emotions and Family Dynamics In Barry and Kochanska (2010) study, the authors look at family emotional well-being, the critical nature of the parent-child relationship and how this impacts a child’s development. Emotions are given and received through individuals and family relationships are shaped by them; family dynamics are influenced and develop from these relational emotions. The emotional affects are multi-dimension and reach all family members reciprocally. One approach known as transactional family dynamics looks at mutual influence processes between all family members (Schermerhorn, Chow & Cummings, 2010, p. 869). Although few studies have been conducted, the transactional family dynamic modal theorizes that if there are marital problems and conflict, the focus is not exclusively on the husband and wife’s problems, but how the family children also influence the marital relationship’s conflict. In one rare study, it was found that â€Å"in families with high levels of marital conflict, child externalizing problems predicted increases in marital conflict† (Schermerhorn et al. , 2010, p. 869); thus supporting the reciprocal nature in families. In support of other research, results from Schermerhorn, et al. (2010) study found that if a child is negative then it is associated with less marital positivity (p. 878). Within family subsystems, the marital relationship and the parent-child relationships are directly influenced by individual emotions and their interactions with one another. Some of these familial emotional interactions, reactions and feelings are healthy, but most are not when there is marital conflict; these unhealthy emotions create a variety of outcomes for a child’s development. Barry and Kochanska (2010) states, â€Å"In families, emotions profoundly influence mental health of the individuals, including sense of security, coping, personal growth, competence, adjustment, behavior problems, and psychopathology, including recovery and relapse† (p. 237). The emotional development, security and socialization of a child are directly related to the emotional exchange between the parent and child relationship; in fact, Barry and Kockanska (2010) find that it is a critical dimension especially during the early childhood years (p. 238). Since emotional healthiness is critical to healthy family relationships then unhealthy emotional states can be detrimental to a developing child causing attachment issues and possible psychopathology as they develop into adulthood. Parents’ emotional reactions to children’s emotions have important consequences for social and emotional development, including children’s psycho-physiological regulation, coping, emotional understanding, and friendship quality (Barry & Kockanska, 2010, p. 237). Home Environments and Child Development Some of the variables which cause changes in the family’s home environment and affect child development are marital conflict, divorce and poor parenting; these changes can be more negatively influential in lower-income environments. Family is one of the major components in human development; therefore, childhood development is greatly influenced by the health of the family unit and home environment. Studies have shown that marital conflict in the family will increase the risk of adjustment problems in children; additionally, marital conflicts can lead to negative parenting, such as inconsistent discipline or disengagement, putting the parent-child relationship at risk and further adding to the risk of child maladjustment (El-Sheikh & Whitson, 2006, p. 30; Peris, Goeke-Morey, Cummings, & Emery (2008), p. 633). Peris et al. 2008) finds that â€Å"marital conflict is linked to a host of ineffective parenting practices, ranging from the use of inconsistent discipline to diminished displays of warmth and responsivity in the parent-child relationship† (p. 633). Another area of concern in families with marital conflict is parentification of children in which the child takes on a parental role by providing emotional support for the parent; it is a reversed role where the child takes care of the parent. In the Peris et al. study, the authors look at how parentification responsibilities can be very stressful and taxing for a middle adolescent hich can cause, as previous research shows, shame, guilt, poor academic performance, increased adulthood depression and anxiety, and difficult peer relationships of which girls are at a greater risk than boys. (Peris et al. , p. 634). Peris et al. also points out that in childhood, parentification is associated with externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and poor social adjustment; additionally, poor parenting practice such as psychological control where a parent will use guilt to control their child’s behavior and maintain closeness will put children and adolescence at greater risk to maladjust ment and behavioral problems. Additional findings from Peris et al. study show that youth and their parents perceive the parentification dynamic differently. Youth perceive the relationship as low in warmth and support but the parent perceives it as warm and close; the study also concluded that the youth study group demonstrated internalizing and externalizing behaviors (p. 638) which is consistent with their hypothesis, other empirical studies and literature topics on parentification. Children from homes with higher levels of conflict have more adjustment problems than children from less conflictual homes especially with prolonged marital conflict (El-Sheikh & Whitson, 2006, p. 30). Marital conflict affects girls more than boys in which they have greater internalizing symptoms. El-Sheikh & Whitson (2006) explain that girls are subject to greater socialization pressures and communion especially during late childhood and adolescence; this socialization process is opposite of a boy who is pushed socially to be more independent. Girls may also be more emotionally involved in the marital arguments and boys avoid the conflict by claiming their independence (p. 37). Nonetheless, marital conflict has lasting affects for both boys and girls which affects childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. Social development is at risk in children who are from homes with marital conflict, divorce or poor parenting. Booth-LaForce & Oxford (2008) report that an unsupportive parental environment such as found in stressful environments like single-parent homes and/or low income can cause insensitive parenting which can lead to socially withdrawn behavior in children; (p. 299) many of these children who are socially withdrawn display â€Å"social-cognitive deficits and unskilled behavior, their self-perceptions are negative, they are more likely to be rejected and victimized by peers, and experience loneliness and depression† (p. 1298). Social learning theorists argue â€Å"that marital disruption may lead children to l earn angry, coercive, hostile, and even physically aggressive approaches to interpersonal problem solving† (Gattis, Simpson, & Christensen, 2008, p. 833). Another area of concern in childhood development within stressful home environments is the increase risk for stress-related physical illnesses. In a study by Fabricius & Luecken (2007) they report that â€Å"high family conflict, abuse, parental psychopathology, and divorce can serve to establish enduring dysregulations in the child’s physiological stress responses, promoting pathophysiology in the brain and body† (p. 195). Another area of concern is sleep deprivation. Marital conflict is related to disruption in a child’s sleep; sleep problems in children can be related to internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors. Additionally, children with sleep problems can also reciprocally influence the conflict between the parents. As Kelly & El-Sheikh (2011) point out â€Å"marital conflict and child sleep problems may be reciprocal and cyclical: exposure to marital conflict may lead to children’s sleep disruptions, which in turn may lead to increased marital conflict† (p. 413). Studies have also found that sleep problems in children can lead to aggressive behaviors (Kelly & El-Sheikh, 2011, p. 413). Separation, Post-Separation and Divorce Taylor, Purswell, Lindo, Jayne, & Fernando (2011) report that children from divorced families are at a higher risk for emotional and behavioral problems including antisocial behavior, disruptive conduct, delinquency, aggression, anxiety, depression, feelings of loneliness and abandonment, emotional maladjustment and academic problems (p. 124-125). A new family structure is stressful for all family members with each affecting the other. Higher levels of parental stress cause changes in the parent-child relationship putting it at risk. Lack of communication, conflict, hostility, stressors related to the divorce and the new family dynamics cause frustration and anger among the members. High rates of divorce continually influence the numerous studies conducted which look at their affects of divorce on childhood development. According to Sentse et al. (2011) â€Å"10-25% of children that experience a parental separation grow up to have more emotional and psychological problems† (p. 98). These problems can stem from the broken family, previous marital conflict, loss of support from family and friends, economic disadvantage and parenting problems. In the current study by Sentse et al. , the researchers found parental separation’s main affect on developing children was externalizing problems; although for some children the separation brought relief from all the marital conflicts. The study also found adolescences that were more temperamentally fearful had increased levels of internalizing behaviors; some of the side effects of the fearful individual who experiences parental separation include withdrawal, ignored by peers, anxious or depressive feelings – resulting in a cycle of negative symptoms which could result in mental health problems (p. 03). Depressive symptoms can stem from marital conflict and divorce; cyclically, marital conflict and divorce can cause depressive symptoms. Mothers are particularly prone to depressive symptoms and clinical depression during highly stressful events in their lives such as marital conflict, separation or divorce. Mothers who are depressed are likely to be less supportive and nurturing with their children and they are usually negative and critical which can lead to developmental problems such as internalizing and externalizing problems in their children (Connell, Hughes-Scalise, Klostermann & Azem, 2011, p. 53). Mothers with depression have â€Å"higher rates of irritability and aggression, which in turn may induce distress, anger and behavior problems in children† (Deboeck, Farris, Boker, & Borkowski, 2011, p. 1312). Deboeck et al. (2011) also finds that a mother’s psychosocial health can directly affect the development of a child; and, children of depressed mothers have difficulty regulating affect, have increased hyperactivity and attention deficits (p. 1313). Several studies have looked at maternal depressive symptoms and found a link between the mother’s criticizing, hostile parenting causing externalizing behaviors in adolescents; additionally, adolescents with depressed mothers were more likely to become depressed when they [adolescent] are faced with family conflict and discord (Allen & Manning, 2010, p. 833). Single motherhood is more stressful on both the mother and the children; single mothers are more likely to be depressed than married mothers. Compared to single mothers, married mothers have better mental health (Afifi, T. O. , Cox, B. J. & Enns, M. W. , 2006, p. 122). There are at least 9. 5 million families in American in which single mothers are head of the household (Afifi et al. 2006). Parenting stress is unusually high in single-mother homes and mothers have â€Å"greater financial difficulties, social isolation, and childcare responsibilities† compared to mothers who are married (Afifi et al. & Taylor, Purswell, Lindo, Jayne, & Fernando, 2011). Past research has found identified stressors which negatively affect the psychological well-being of single mothers; they are, low income, low education, family size, and ethnicity (Afifi et al. . 126). The results of Afifi et al. study found that psychiatric disorders in married mothers is lowest, with a slight increase in never married mothers, and the greatest increase was found in separated/divorced mothers; however, previous research found that women going through a separation or divorce had higher rates of poor mental health before the separation/divorce and after (Afifi et al. p. 127). Afifi et al. found that separated/divorced mothers had high levels of depression, dysthymia, GAD, alcohol abuse, PTSD, drug abuse, agoraphobia and antisocial personality disorder. Co-Parenting, Healthy Family Relationships, and Positive Outcomes Although marital conflict, separation/divorce, and poor parenting can adversely affect the home environment and negatively influence the development of children, there are positive factors which counter these adverse affects. Co-parenting is one of those factors. Co-parenting is associated with parents who mutually and cooperatively parent and raise their child together as a team. Although most of the research on co-parenting has been done on married couples and fathers, some does exist on co-parenting after the marital relationship has dissolved. Co-parenting can exist in families with marital conflict as part of a solution to positive parenting even in the midst of chaos and conflict. Positive co-parenting can buffer a child against the negative effects of marital conflict and divorce. There is increasing â€Å"evidence [which] indicates that successful co-parenting relationships are beneficial for children’s socio-emotional development† (Dush, Kotila, & Schoppe-Sullivan, 2011, p. 356). Other studies have found that co-parenting affects children positively by decreasing both internalizing and externalizing symptoms (Isacco, Garfield, & Rogers, 2010, p. 262). Healthy co-parenting relationships between separated or divorced couples can significantly improve the relationship between the non-residential father and the child; it could also help improve the relationship between the mother and father by reducing conflict. Many divorced fathers are less involved with their children and co-parenting because of the relational conflict with the divorced mother. Dush et al. (2011) states the key ingredients for co-parenting includes joint investment in the child, valuing the importance of each parent, respecting the other’s judgment, and ongoing, open communication (p. 357). A key factor for increasing healthy family relations and positive outcomes for children in families with marital conflict or divorce is active, supportive father involvement. As Dush et al. points out, â€Å"cooperative co-parenting relationships may be key to fostering positive nonresidential father involvement and lower levels of inter-parental conflict which have been linked to children’s behavioral outcomes, academic achievement, and psychological well-being† (p. 356). Another key component which fosters positive outcomes for children is father-child communication which has shown to decrease externalizing behaviors; (Afifi et al. 2006) additionally, open communication within the parent-child relationship where the child feels comfortable talking with their parents about the divorce has shown that children cope better (Taylor et al. , 2011). â€Å"A strong parent– child relationship can help ameliorate many of these [divorce] difficulties† (Taylor et al. 2011. p. 125). Family therapy is another positive component which can buffer the affects of marital conflict and divorce. Therapy can provide support for family members, teach problem-solving skills, communications training, conflict management and resolution.